Chardonnay 2008
Rocky Road Chardonnay 2008
Tasting Note
With its aromas of orange zest and freshly shelled cashew, this wine shows elegance and restraint. Separate batches of fruit from the top and bottom of the valley are fermented separately and then blended to provide a creamy clay overlay on the mineral notes that are characteristic of the Rocky Road site. The result is a tight lemon curd palate supported by lingering notes of candied peel and ginger.
Ryan Walsh and Freya Hohnen, winemakers
THE SEASON
The 2008 vintage started early but once the whites were picked, ripening slowed due to some cooler weather in early March allowing some longer time for tannin development in the red varieties.
The whites look exceptional with beautiful natural acidity coupled with ripe fruit flavours. Tonnages were low thanks to a little Spring hail.
VINEYARDS
Fruit is sourced from the Rocky Road vineyard which lies in the headwaters of the Chapman Brook, near Witchcliffe in the south of the Margaret River region. With a northerly aspect, the vines enjoy long days of sunshine, moderated by the vineyard's southern location. All vines on the McHenry Hohnen vineyards are grown on a single bilateral cordon with a vertically trained canopy. It is a simple and practical format that maximises light penetration and maintains a balanced vine.
VINIFICATION
Grapes are harvested in the cool of the night and following whole berry pressing, the juice is settled, and then run into barrels for the primary fermentation. Some batches are inoculated with yeast whilst others are left to proceed with a natural fermentation. The finished wine is left on spent yeast cells until the blend is assembled and bottled in late summer.
Alcohol 13.9
pH 3.19
Acidity 7.6
Residual sugar 2.2
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